For most of the past week, coronavirus cases in Spokane County have increased three-digit numbers again, although they were still much lower than at the peak of the pandemic.
‘We had spring holidays. We had Easter, which is also usually a big celebration for many people. And then we had the NCAA tournament, all at the same time, at a stage when we were in Phase 3, which means a lot more things are open, ‘said Interim Health Officer Francisco Velazquez.
Spokane County will remain in Phase 3 for the time being. The governor announced this week that only three counties, including Whitman, have relegated to Phase 2 due to the increase in cases and hospitalizations.
The health department and the governor’s office will make the decision in three weeks. “All I can tell you is that I hope we pull back from where we are, because if we do not, I think the numbers will make the decision for us,” he said.
Spokane County’s two-week fall rate is above the state standard. Hospitalizations are close.
Velazquez hopes the opening of Covid vaccines to all adults in Washington on Thursday will make a rush of people to be vaccinated and lower the infection rate again. But the full benefits of the vaccination campaign will only become clear a few weeks after a large majority of people have received their shots.